7 Bright Ideas for Hanging Pendant Lights From Uneven Ceilings
Whether your ceiling is sloping, glazed or open to the rafters, there are plenty of ways to install featurlight fittings
Amanda Pollard
5 May 2020
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
When you’re renovating a room with an uneven ceiling, installing light fittings can seem like a challenge. However, there are usually ways around this design obstacle. Take a look at these ideas from professionals on Houzz to find inspiration for solving your own tricky pendant-light dilemma.
1. Cut the cord
It might seem like a challenge to install a neat row of even pendants along a sloping ceiling, but it’s certainly not impossible.
In this London kitchen in the UK designed by Eamonn Agha of Holland Street Kitchens, the peninsula is situated beneath the angled roof. Agha fitted three pendant lights above the benchtop, and simply used a shorter cord for the one on the right-hand side to line it up with the others.
It might seem like a challenge to install a neat row of even pendants along a sloping ceiling, but it’s certainly not impossible.
In this London kitchen in the UK designed by Eamonn Agha of Holland Street Kitchens, the peninsula is situated beneath the angled roof. Agha fitted three pendant lights above the benchtop, and simply used a shorter cord for the one on the right-hand side to line it up with the others.
2. Hang and drop
In this London kitchen, George Woodrow of Woodrow Architects has used the light fittings to accentuate the sloping beams along the side-return extension. Each light’s ceiling canopy starts at the base of the angled ceiling, then the hooks at the top are used to drop the pendants down over the table.
The triangular forms replicate the shape of the roof and create a cool feature in the room.
In this London kitchen, George Woodrow of Woodrow Architects has used the light fittings to accentuate the sloping beams along the side-return extension. Each light’s ceiling canopy starts at the base of the angled ceiling, then the hooks at the top are used to drop the pendants down over the table.
The triangular forms replicate the shape of the roof and create a cool feature in the room.
3. Make a feature
How do you add a pendant light to a room with a skylight if you don’t want to overpower the beautiful glazed feature?
Here, interior designer Jo Shore made a pendant from a basket she found at a garden centre and hung it from the central beam of the skylight. The open weave keeps the glazing on show and allows natural light to shine through.
Thinking of giving your interior a makeover with new lights? Find a licensed electrician near you on Houzz
How do you add a pendant light to a room with a skylight if you don’t want to overpower the beautiful glazed feature?
Here, interior designer Jo Shore made a pendant from a basket she found at a garden centre and hung it from the central beam of the skylight. The open weave keeps the glazing on show and allows natural light to shine through.
Thinking of giving your interior a makeover with new lights? Find a licensed electrician near you on Houzz
4. Work with the wall
In this home in Wollongong, NSW, the low ceiling in the kitchen and dining area was removed to reveal beams and skylights. It’s a striking look, but the addition of a pendant could have made it look too cluttered.
Instead, Ben Johnson of Benedict Design fitted a long bracket to the wall with a lamp attached. The light provides ample illumination over the benchtop and the bracket mirrors the shape of the beams above.
In this home in Wollongong, NSW, the low ceiling in the kitchen and dining area was removed to reveal beams and skylights. It’s a striking look, but the addition of a pendant could have made it look too cluttered.
Instead, Ben Johnson of Benedict Design fitted a long bracket to the wall with a lamp attached. The light provides ample illumination over the benchtop and the bracket mirrors the shape of the beams above.
5. Keep it simple
The apex of this glazed, pitched roof in London was the perfect spot for hanging light fittings. David Snaith of STAC Architecture installed long flexes along the white surface from which pendants could hang.
The thin black cables and translucent glass globes tie in with the black-framed glazing and ensure the lights don’t distract from their stunning surroundings.
How Do I… Choose Light Bulbs?
The apex of this glazed, pitched roof in London was the perfect spot for hanging light fittings. David Snaith of STAC Architecture installed long flexes along the white surface from which pendants could hang.
The thin black cables and translucent glass globes tie in with the black-framed glazing and ensure the lights don’t distract from their stunning surroundings.
How Do I… Choose Light Bulbs?
6. Go round the bend
Protruding beams along this kitchen ceiling in London could have made hanging pendant lights evenly along the island unit tricky, but Jamie Blake of Blakes London came up with a clever solution.
He made an industrial-style bracket from some copper piping and hung three pendant lights from it. “The lights can rise and drop by just wrapping them around the pipe,” says Blake.
Protruding beams along this kitchen ceiling in London could have made hanging pendant lights evenly along the island unit tricky, but Jamie Blake of Blakes London came up with a clever solution.
He made an industrial-style bracket from some copper piping and hung three pendant lights from it. “The lights can rise and drop by just wrapping them around the pipe,” says Blake.
7. Set them sideways
The glazed roof in this London dining room didn’t have an obvious spot for hanging a light fitting, and designer Sami Somer at BLOCK Design & Build didn’t want to obstruct the light or sightlines.
He came up with a modern way of hanging the pendants from the wall and hooking them to the centre of the beams. The lights add interest to the room and their high position ensures they don’t intrude on the space.
Your turn
Which of these seven ideas is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need some more practical renovation advice? Read this: Do You Know the 5 Essentials for Good Laundry Design?
The glazed roof in this London dining room didn’t have an obvious spot for hanging a light fitting, and designer Sami Somer at BLOCK Design & Build didn’t want to obstruct the light or sightlines.
He came up with a modern way of hanging the pendants from the wall and hooking them to the centre of the beams. The lights add interest to the room and their high position ensures they don’t intrude on the space.
Your turn
Which of these seven ideas is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need some more practical renovation advice? Read this: Do You Know the 5 Essentials for Good Laundry Design?
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We made our own from driftwood. We actually copied the idea from our favourite beach bar.
Chose the pendant lights you like because house buyers are just as happy with downlights and won't pay you any more for expensive feature luminaires.
Richard Blake
Hate downlights with a passion! Esp in grid formation with zero thought given to their placement. Looks cheap, like a volume build home. I always plan on replacing them when shopping for a house.